The upcoming NFL Draft represents more than just solidifying positions of needs for the New York Giants in 2020. With the offensive line and pass rusher spots in dire need of support, general manager Dave Gettleman must find a way to bolster them while also injecting more talent at free safety, etc.
Gettleman is under the gun, though, going into his third draft as the GM of the Giants. He previously stated that the team could “win during a rebuild,” but then proceeded to rearrange his mentality after the team struggled in his first year with Big Blue.
Flashback to the beginning:
Having retained a majority of the 2017 team, Gettleman drafted Saquon Barkley and attempted to piece together a winning side with minimal talent on the offensive line and poor defense. He eventually came to his senses and realized that winning with his current squad would be nearly impossible, so he elected to start over, cutting/trading more than half of the team’s players and went ahead in 2018 with a new philosophy.
What have the New York Giants done since Gettleman’s realization?
The beginning of the Giants’ official rebuild occurred in 2018, one year after co-owner John Mara overhauled the coaching staff and gave the keys to Gettleman, who was fired from the Carolina Panthers one year prior. Drafting a running back in his first draft has been his downfall, despite Barkley being one of the most explosive prospects in recent memory. The issue isn’t Barkley, it’s the idea that they could win immediately and drafting a running back was justified.
Fast forward and the Giants are preparing to unload a record-breaking contract for Barkley after the 2020 season. Some believe trading him could be the more efficient move, in an attempt to recoup lost time and draft capital. I believe Saqoun is an integral part of the offense moving forward, and Daniel Jones will find him to be his saving grace — injuries hurt their chemistry and development in 2019.
However, Gettleman is going into his third year with the Giants and has little to show for it. Giving him a pass for his poor approach in 2017 is unacceptable, meaning this could be his final chance to prove his worth. Two solid drafts and multiple poor free agents signings have led him to a deadlock in his tenure in New York.
If he flops in the upcoming draft and his free-agent signings prove to be lackluster, he will be the casualty instead of Joe Judge. Former head coach Pat Shurmur took the fall this past offseason. Alternatively, if he succeeds, Gettleman will remain the GM for the foreseeable future.